CIVIC pride will sweep across Great Harwood this week during a celebration of the town’s past.

The Civic Society launched ‘Great Harwood Civic Week’ on Saturday with the traditional Beating the Bounds walk.

Walkers traced the traditional 11-mile route, which has been carried out for centuries to encourage the people to preserve Great Harwood’s natural boundaries.

The week will culminate with a display of 14th Century living conditions in the town square.

Other highlights include a treasure hunt and historical tour of the town, with visits to churches and notable buildings while guides tell visitors little-known facts about the town’s most famous residents and past events.

The week concludes with a historic museum in Town Hall Square on Saturday, where a display of artefacts will plot the history of Great Harwood.

A marquee will also house the layout of a cottage typical of how people lived in 1338 – the year Great Harwood was granted its market charter by King Edward III.

Civic Society chairman Steve Aspin said: “The cottage will be a real insight into how people lived, complete with the fire in the middle of the cottage with the cauldron, and people will also be in period dress.

“We have invited every school child in Great Harwood to come along because we think the history of the town is something to be proud of and we hope to get a good turnout on the day.”